If VirtualBox fails to attach your USB device or shows Failed to attach the USB device to the virtual machine error on your Windows 11/10 computer, here is what you can do to fix the issue. This error can occur while connecting a USB device such as a Bluetooth connector, pen drive, Wi-Fi adapter, etc.
The entire error message says something like this:
Failed to attach the USB device [device name] to the virtual machine [virtual machine name].
VirtualBox displays this error when your host computer can detect the USB device, but the VirtualBox cannot do the same.
VirtualBox Failed to attach the USB device to the virtual machine
To fix VirtualBox failed to attach the USB device to the virtual machine error, follow these steps:
- Install Guest Additions
- Enable USB Controller
- Install Extension pack
- Install USB driver
To know more about these solutions, keep reading.
1] Install Guest Additions
It is the first thing you need to fix the issue as stated above. For that, you need to run the virtual machine showing the error and go to the Devices > Install Guest Additions button.
Next, you need to follow the screen instructions to get it installed. Once the installation process is complete, you might have to restart the virtual machine.
2] Enable USB Controller
As the name denotes, USB Controller is the function that controls your USB devices attached to the virtual machine. If this feature is not turned on for your virtual machine, you might get the issue. To verify, do the following:
- Open the VirtualBox on your computer.
- Right-click on the virtual machine and select the Settings option.
- Switch to the USB tab.
- Tick the Enable USB Controller checkbox.
- Click the plus icon on the right side.
- Select the USB device that was not being detected.
- Click the OK button.
Now check if you can use your USB device with your virtual machine or not.
3] Install Extension pack
Like browser extensions, the Extension Pack of VirtualBox extends the functionality of this app. Therefore, you could try installing the extension pack if you haven’t done that already. For you need to download it from the official website, virtualbox.org. Next, you can do this:
- Go to Tools and click on the Preferences option.
- Switch to the Extensions tab.
- Click on the plus icon.
- Choose the downloaded extension pack.
- Click the Install button.
- Click the OK button.
After that, restart the VirtualBox app and check if it resolves your issue or not.
4] Install USB driver
You need to install the USB driver for VirtualBox manually. Although it is not mandatory on Windows 11 or Windows 10. However, as you are getting the issue, you might want to do that. For that, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer on your computer.
- Go to: C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\drivers\USB
- Open the device folder.
- Right-click on the VBoxUSB.inf file and select the Install option.
- Open the filter folder.
- Right-click on the VBoxUSBMon.inf and select the Install option.
- Restart the VirtualBox app on your computer.
After that, you should not get the issue anymore.
How do I get my virtual machine to recognize my USB?
Generally, every virtual machine detects any USB device automatically without external interactions. However, at times, it might not do what is said. In such a moment, you can try installing the Guest Additions, enable the USB Controller, install the extension pack, and install the USB driver.
Can you install a virtual machine on a USB?
There is a tool called Portable VirtualBox that you can use to install a virtual machine on a USB flash drive. However, you might have to consider some limitations while using a virtual machine from a USB drive. Nonetheless, if you want to take your virtual machine with you while traveling, you can certainly consider this method.
That’s all! Hope this guide helped you fix the issue.
